Meet the Team at Palm Desert Pet Hospital
Get to know the friendly faces of Palm Desert Pet Hospital in Palm Desert, CA! Here, our passion for animals goes beyond a profession — it’s a way of life. Your trust means everything to us and we promise to treat your beloved companions as if they were our own.
Get to Know Our Palm Desert, CA Veterinary Team
Veterinarians
Dr. Amber Pentoney
Veterinarian
I was born and raised in California. Growing up, our family included dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and various reptiles. After completing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, I moved on to earn a Master’s in Cell & Molecular biology studying cardiac disease at the SDSU Heart Institute. During this time, I was given the opportunity to teach college students human anatomy. I also began volunteering with local rescues and carried a position working for a veterinary hospital.
After completing my Master’s, I obtained my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Western University in Southern California. I have a special interest in research and have spent time involved in projects prior to and throughout my veterinary training. Following completion of veterinary school, I received additional training through a small animal rotating internship, working alongside veterinary specialists and gaining experience working in fast-paced emergency medicine.
During my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, and I can be found biking, hiking, camping, enjoying the ocean, or spending quality time with my family- including my two dogs, Koa and Tesla.
Dr. Joshua Freng
Veterinarian
Being born and raised in California, I have a deep appreciation for the diverse people and geography of our great state. As a kid and teenager, I was lucky to travel up and down the state with my family showing dogs and livestock. This allowed me the opportunity to see what a beautiful place California truly is and that it offers something for everyone. I remember exhibiting at the Palm Springs Kennel Club Dog Show, held at the polo grounds in Indio, as a young teen and falling in love with the Coachella Valley. The San Jacinto Mountain’s stark silhouette against the setting sun was mesmerizing to me. Even then, I understood that this was a special place that I would revisit.
It seems fate would have me become a veterinarian, as my family was involved with all things animal. I grew up in a small mountain town, Tehachapi, CA, on a little ranch with horses, some cattle, goats, the occasional hog or two, cats, and of course, dogs. Through 4-H and FFA, I showed steers and hogs at the fair and learned the value of hard work, compassion, and leadership. My mom bred and showed German Shepherds and, later on, Keeshonden. Initially, I just tagged along to the shows, but soon was grooming and handling dogs too. Eventually, I used the money from handling dogs to help support myself through my undergraduate studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I majored in Pre-Vet Animal Science. I went on to receive my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 2006.
After vet school, I moved back home to Tehachapi to help my aging parents. I was lucky Tehachapi Veterinary Hospital had an opening for an associate, and I jumped headfirst into a very busy 4-doctor rural practice. I received excellent mentorship, and given the rural and isolated nature of the practice, I had to expand and hone my skills quickly. As time marched on, I would continue to travel back to the Coachella Valley to visit, always thinking that I’d love to relocate to the area if given a chance. After the passing of my parents, I decided it was time to make a change, and it was apparent the Coachella Valley was where I wanted to resettle.
Outside of the hospital, I enjoy DIY home renovation, partaking in the great outdoors, and spending time with my two dogs, Chevy and Watson, and my grumpy kitty, Fatty. I love hiking and am looking forward to further exploring the many miles of hiking trails the valley has to offer during the day and its many fine restaurants at night.
Leadership
Alsatia
Practice Manager
Alsatia is from a little farm town named Brawley, CA, and she moved here in 2013 after graduating from high school. Since she grew up in an area with a large focus on livestock and working animals, her love for animals started at the young age of four when she got her first dog, Bingo. She started in the veterinary field in 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and furry babies (Missy May and Bubba Bear), going to the beach, or having a slumber party/movie night in her living room. She is dedicated to making sure the hospital gives quality care to all patients that walk through the door and exceptional customer service to their owners.
Technicians
Brittany
Technician
Brittany grew up on a Horse Ranch in Oakland, OR, where her love for animals grew into a passion. She decided at the age of 5 that her career would be working with animals big and small. After she graduated high school, Brittany moved to California, and her path veered away from animals when she joined the Army.
Brittany found her way back to the animal medical field when she switched to the Army Reserves and trained to be an animal care specialist (Veterinary Technician) caring for and treating military working dogs.
Brittany moved back to California and has been working in this field since. She lives by the phrase, “Do what you love, and call it a job.”
When her workday ends, she comes home to her three girls (cats) Dharma, a 13-year-old Siamese Manx mix; Jinx, a 5-year-old domestic short hair; and Pearl, a 2-year-old domestic short hair.
Veterinary Assistants
Marisol
Supervisor
I was born and raised in CA. I went to Pima Medical Institute in San Diego, where I received my VA certification. I’m currently enrolled at Penn Foster to receive my Vet Tech certification. I have worked in the field for about six years, and I have loved every second of it. I like to spend time with my daughter in my free time. I enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and checking out new restaurants when not helping animals at Palm Desert Pet Hospital.
Daniella
Veterinary Assistant
I was born here in the Coachella Valley and have lived here all my life. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved animals, and I was blessed to be able to grow up with a family dog and experience that incredible bond we have with our pets. My love for animals is what inspired me to care for the health of animals as a career. I have been pet-sitting since 2015 and love being able to spend time with such amazing pets. This past year I finally made the decision to start studying to become a veterinary assistant. In March of 2021, I began my externship here at Palm Desert Pet Hospital and have learned so much from everyone on this amazing team. I am now a certified Veterinary Assistant, and I am working here as a Vet Tech/Assistant. I plan to further my studies to become a Registered Vet Tech so I can care for the health of these amazing animals in even more ways. I have one dog at home (Mia) with who I love to do everything, from going on adventures to cuddling at home. I am continuing to grow with my work in this field and am dedicated to giving the best care I can to all the amazing animals who come into our hospital.
Lisa
Veterinary Assistant
Lisa was born and raised in Illinois and moved out to California in 2016. Lisa is a Certified Veterinary Assistant, and she has over ten years of experience in the veterinary field.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, reading, and photography. Lisa lives with her three cats; Aurora, Atticus, and Scout.
Client Service Representatives
Andrea
Reception Supervisor
Andrea was born in San Diego but was raised in the Coachella Valley. She graduated from La Quinta High School in 2013. She joined Palm Desert Pet Hospital at the end of the summer of 2018, with this being her first job in the vet world. Even though she hasn’t been here long, she has come a long way by learning something new every day at work. When she’s not at the front desk, Andrea likes to spend time at home with her dog, Khloe, a seven-year-old Chihuahua, and her cat, Pancho, a one-year-old Siamese mix.
Clarissa
Reception
I was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. I have been working here at Palm Desert Pet Hospital for five months, and I love it. It’s always great to see the animals that come in every day. I love the atmosphere here as well. I have two children named Jacob and Adam and three dogs named Jerry, Sally, and Penny. When I’m not working, I spend time with my kids and my dogs, like going to the park, taking walks, and going to soccer practice and games.
Lauren
Reception
Lauren was born & raised here in the Coachella Valley. She has been in the veterinary field since 2011. She used to work as a veterinary assistant but has really enjoyed being a receptionist. In her spare time, she loves film photography, as well as pet sitting. She has been a pet sitter since 2008. At home, Lauren loves to spend her time with her 2 Boston Terriers named Zuko & Z. She also has a few sugar gliders, Meeko, Flick, Appa, & Pabu.
Olivia
Olivia was born and raised in Long Island, NY and has always had a passion for animals of all shapes and sizes. After graduating high school, she enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in 29 Palms for 4 years. She now lives in Cathedral City with her 3 fur babies, Pepper who is a 7-year-old German Shepard Chow mix, Crystal a 5-year-old Tabby and Ellie, a 7-month-old Shorthair Tabby. She is excited to be a part of the Palm Desert Pet Hospital team and help take care of all of the community’s babies!
Dr. Whiskercloud
Veterinarian
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec congue tempor rutrum. Nullam vitae elit sapien. Morbi pharetra bibendum est, a commodo ex fermentum a. Donec a elit interdum, feugiat turpis nec, porttitor sapien. Ut condimentum hendrerit odio a porta. Etiam et consequat justo, eget pharetra justo. Phasellus consequat neque dui, id molestie velit elementum in. Aliquam hendrerit metus ac pellentesque varius. Vestibulum consequat libero metus. Aliquam semper felis id justo molestie, ac eleifend quam fringilla. Phasellus cursus, leo at rhoncus facilisis, arcu quam rutrum diam, at molestie neque lacus at augue. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Nunc nibh magna, porttitor ut mi sagittis, lobortis bibendum magna. Integer sem ante, eleifend at volutpat sit amet, hendrerit at metus.